The Interfaith O’hana of Hawaii
Event 1 Theme: Common East-West Religious Themes Time: February 3, Tuesday, 10:00 to 11:30 AM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on ZOOM Moderator: Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Lynch Keynote Speaker: Rev. Kawika David Jackson representing the Christian faith Panel Speakers: Imam Matiullah Joyia representing Islam Rev. Blayne Higa representing Buddhism Audrey Kitagawa representing Hinduism Panel Objective: The Panel Leaders examined four major faith traditions to theologically see what binds them together rather than what divides them. Attendees: 26 Sponsored By: International Academy for Interfaith Studies Event 2 Theme: Spirituality & Sustainability – The Role of Religion & Rights to strive for the UN Sustainable Development Goals Around the Globe Time: February 11th, Friday 7:00 to 8:30 AM, Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Zoom Moderator: Professor Josh Cooper, University of Hawaii, West Oahu Panel Speakers: Representing four continents: Asia – Mongolia, North America – Washington D.C. and Toronto, Canada, Europe – Albania, and Austalasia – Kauai, Hawaii Panel Objective: To promote the role of religions and rights in striving for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals around the globe Attendees: 12 Sponsored By: University of Hawaii West Oahu, Students United Nations Club Event 3 Theme: Overcoming Prejudice with Aloha – A Jewish-Muslim Dialog Time: February 14th Monday 12-:00 Noon, Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Zoom Moderator: Roger Epstein, President, Maigreya Institute Panel Speakers: Rabbi Weiner, Temple Emanu-El Honolulu Imam Matiullah Joyia, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Hawaii Greg Kinkley. Lay leader of the So Ma’arav Jewish Community in Honolulu Murat Arabaci, PhD student, Pacifica Institute Panel Objective: The prejudice that has been shown to Jews and Muslims by others and between our two groups can be reduced and overcome through the principles of Aloha, sharing the breath of life. There are practices within the concept of Aloha, that we plan to use in our continuation of this Muslim/Jewish dialogue. Attendees: 32 Sponsored By: Maigreya Institute Event 4 Theme: Experience the Power of Love Peace Harmony Time: February 15th Tuesday 6:30-8:00 PM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Zoom Program Directors: Shunya Richard Barton Diane Fuji Event Objective: The program directors guided participants through an interactive experience of calligraphy, music and meditation to arrive at a place of inner peace. Sponsored By: Peace Love Harmony Foundation Event 5 Theme: World Interfaith Candlelight Peace Prayer Time: February 17th Thursday 7:00 PM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Zoom Moderator: Dr. Jeff Nakama Panel Objective: Leaders from nine major world religions offered prayers from their tradition and passed a symbolic lit candle to share the flame of hope, love, and harmony. Attendees: 30 Sponsored By: Universal Peace Federation Event 6 Theme: The Gift of Aloha (Love) — Pacific Islanders and Indigenous People Share Their Sacred Values Time: February 19th Saturday 2:00 PM EDT = 9:00 AM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Zoom Moderator: Audrey Kitagawa, President, International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation Panel Speakers: Chris Peters, 7th Generation Fund (Indigenous Person) Upolu Vaai, President, Pacific Theological College (Fiji) Dr. Manulani Meyer, Associate Specialist, Student Affairs University of Hawaii West O`ahu Maui Solomon, Indigenous Moriori (preceded the Maoris), New Zealand Dr. Papalil Failautusi Aveglaio, Jr,Pacific Business Center, University of Hawaii. (Samoa) Panel Objective: Leaders for pacific islanders and indigenous people shared their religious values and thoughts on “aloha.” Sponsored By: International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation Event 7 Theme: World’s Religions Conference – Compassion in My Religion’s Founders Time: February 3, Tuesday, 10:00 to 11:30 AM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on ZOOM Moderator: Murabbi Serjeel Ahmad, Ahmadlyya Musim Community Panel Speakers: Imam Matiullah Joyia, Missionary of the Ahmadlyya Musim Community Naima Fifita, Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Honolulu Mollie Sperry, General Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the Hawaiian Islands Rev. Yuika Hasebe, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Bishop Rev. Eric Matsumoto, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Starr Kalahiki, singer Dr. Haaheo Guanson, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Honolulu, Hawaii Rev. TJ FitzGerald of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu Professor Ramdas Lamb, University of Hawaii, Department of Religion Gregg Kinkley, Lay leader at Congregation Sof Ma’arav, Honolulu Rabbi Jennifer Weiner is the Interim Rabbi of Temple Emanu-El Murabbi Serjeel Ahmad, Ahmadlyya Musim Community, Toronto, Canada Panel Objective: Religious leaders shared their religion’s founders thoughts on compassion and the parallelism of those thoughts. Attendees: 25 Sponsored By: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Hawaii Event 8 Theme: The Gift of Aloha (Love) In Selfless Service Time: February 22nd Tuesday 2:00 PM EDT = 9:00 AM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Zoom Moderator: Audrey Kitagawa, President, International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation Panel Speakers: Bishop William Swing, President/Founder of United Religions Initiative (URI) Jonathan Glenn Granoff, President, (Global Security Institute) Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, Executive Director of Afghan Learning Institute Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Secretary General of International WASH Alliance Ben Bowler, President, Unity Earth Panel Objective: This panel focuses on global challenges facing humanity. The speakers share how their work seeks to make this world a better place. Attendees: Sponsored By: International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation